thumb English · revision 13347

− It is Middle English thoume, [[inh|ang|þūma|t=thumb]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) from Proto-Germanic *thūman-, etymologically the stout or thick finger,^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) source also of Dutch duim and German [[m|de|Daumen]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) from PIE *tum-, to swell,^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) as in Latin tumēre, to swell (see [[tumor]]).^(Barnhart 1988)^(Cresswell 2021)^(MWU 2024) The unetymological -b, attested from the late 12th century, is perhaps by influence of [[dumb]] (compare [[limb]]).^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)